Tool post and holder



Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PAT lif.

.1 OFFICE 14 Claims;

My invention relates to an improved holding means for metal working machines, such as lathes and the like, adapted to eliminate some of the difficulties and defects encountered with the tool holding devices at present in use; my-invention contemplating the provision of a construction whereby a proper support at the cutting edge" of the tool is provided which permits the use of a small high speed tool without sacrificing the efiiciency obtained with a heavier tool steel;

The invention has for its object the provision of a structure whereby a directand greater pressure on the tool or tool holder may be obtained than is the case with tool posts at present in use; vibration with the resultant wear eliminated and the possibility to undercut prevented; the invention involving a structure whereby greater accuracy in tool setting may be obtained.

The objects and advantages of my invention, as well as other advantages inherent in theinvention, will all bev morefully comprehended from the following detailed description of the. accompanying drawing; wherein:

Figure lis aperspectiveiview of. my improved tool post andholder, with only'a portioncof. the slide block or'bed-plate being:shown..

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view takensubstantially at right angles to Figure 2 with. parts in elevation.

Figure 4 is a p'erspectivecviewv of my improved tool holder.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 withthe e' termediate its ends so as to fit into'the upper end of the slot in the upright post I1; and the ends of the arm are provided with vertically'disposed tapped holes to receive the set-screws 23, 23; the screws 23 being of length greater than the vertical thickness of the ends of the rocker block or arm 22' so as to extend entirely therethrough and permit them to functionas hereinafter defined.

Restingon the lathe compound or bed-plate i5 is afoundationwasher 24 provided with a'central holefor passage of the post Il-therethrough; the hole being perpendicular to the lower face'of the washer, while the upper face of the washer tapers toward one side of the washer, as more clearly shown in Figure 2. This washer is geometrically divided by a diametrical line and the divisions on opposite sides of the line termed the rightplane and the left plane, with the right plane having graduations arranged clockwisely 'equaldistances apart from low to high, namely from 1' to 5; some of the graduations being shown in Figure l. The upper surface of the washer 24; as can be seen in Figure 2, is disposed in-aplane above the lower end of the vertical slot in the post l1;

Disposed through the slot 20in the post I1 is anelongated tool holder 25 which rests on the foundation washer 24. This:v holder is tapered transversely to correspond with the top tapered surface of the foundation washer 24, so that the top of the'tool holder is always level longituditool holder omitted and illustrating the use of 11811115v W e it is be e va ed o p per myimproved shim in connectionwith' a solidtool.

FiguraG is aperspective. view of the. shim employed in-Figure 5i In theparticular exemplification of the invention, a portion of the lathe compound or bed plate is shown at E5 which isprovided with aninverted T-slot it to receive the lower fi'anged end of the cylindricalcenter post ll which is slidably andnontiltably held in the slot by the post block l8 centrally apertured for passage of the post I? and the apertured undercut, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 to receive the flange portion IQ of the post i 1'.

The vertically disposed cylindrical post- I! is vertically slotted from its upper end toa predetermined point above the bed-plate l5, the slot Z'O being provided with parallel walls or sides arranged equal di'stances from the vertical center of the post; as shown in Figures land 2;

rotationof the foundation washer 24. The holder 25, adjacent its forward end and at opposite-sides, is provided with the upstanding side walls 26, 26 7 which provide a channel or slot for receiving a 40 small cutting tool as shown at 27; the forward end of the holder acting as a guide for tool-setting and aifording suitable support forthe cutting end of the tool. The side walls 25, 26 of the holder 25" require the tool holder 25 to be endwisely inserted in the vertical. slot 20, with the intermediate portion of theroclrer arm 22 is of length somewhat greater than the diameter of the post I7 so as to provide a proper clearance between the enlarged ends of the rocker arm and the sides of the'post to permit the rocker The upper end of the'post ll isprovided with a; arm to tilt vertically during regulation of the set screws 23, 23, which, it will be noted in Figure 1, are arranged at different distances from the vertical center of the post ll; the set screw at the right in Figure 1 being arranged closer to the fulcrum of rocker arm 22 than is the case with the set-screw at the left, thereby enabling a proportionately greater leverage pressure to be applied on the tool and tool holder by the right hand set-screw, Figure 1, when the set-screw at the left is screwed downwardly by a suitable wrench.

In operation, when a small tool is to be employed, it is properly positioned in the small tool holder 25 and the latter, with the tool, is inserted in the vertical slot in post I! on top of the foundation washer 24; the latter having been rotated so as to initially position the holder on the right plane at graduation l. The foundation washer is then rotated in anti-clockwise direction until the tool is at the desired height, at which time the forward set-screw 23 (namely the one at the right in Figure l) is screwed down by hand until it engages the too-l and then the rearward set-screw 23 (at the left in Figure l) is screwed down tightly with the usual tool post wrench. In order to release the tool, it is merely necessary to release or unscrew the rear setscrew 23. As is apparent, the screwing down of the set-screw to the left in Figure 1 (which may be termed the rear set-screw) causes rocker arm 22 to tilt on its fulcrum pin 2! thereby providing a greatly increased leverage pressure on the small tool forward of the tool post, in proximity to the forward cutting end of the tool. The multiplied or added pressure which is exerted on the flat surfaces of the tool and its holder ensures a rigid holding condition which prevents possibility of undercutting, either with a down pull, a creeping or side movement of the device; the tool holder with the tool being held in place with a greater pressure than is possible to be obtained with a direct pressure screw; while the holder provides support for the forward end of the tool and greatly adds to its strength and capacity.

My improved small tool holder eliminates the excessive overhang required with small tool holders having the usual tool holder screw, at present employed; my improved small tool holder and associated elements efficiently performing the operations which would require a complete set of the screw type holders at present employed; my device enabling the blade of a parting tool to be supported to the depth of the out; while a boring tool or inside threading tool having the square cross-section like the tool shown may be adjusted to the depth of the cut to be made.

In Figure 5 I disclose an improved leveling shim 28 to be used with solid or large tools or any of the present day tools, namely when the small tool 21 and small tool holder 25 are not employed. The shim 28 is tapered transversely as shown, consisting of a flat surfaced piece of steel, preferably with arcuate ends and reduced in width as shown at 29 to fit into the vertical slot in the post l1, while the shoulders 30, 30 formed by the enlarged ends 3!, 3i engage the opposite sides of the post H and prevent shifting movement of the shim. The shim 28 is properly placed in the slot of the post and rests on the foundation washer 24 with the taper of the shim disposed in a direction opposite to that of the foundation washer so as to maintain the tool 32 level as shown in Figure 5; the tool being securely held in place by the screw-bolts 23, 23 carried by the rocker block 22 whereby the pressure oil the tool is greatly increased by reason of the difference in distance of the two screw-bolts from the vertical center of the post; the pressure being exerted on all flat surfaces at opposite sides of the post and being of greater magnitude than can be obtained with a direct pressure screw; the structure permitting a tool to be inserted and adjusted to cutting position and then tightened with the operation of one screwbolt.

With my improved structure, a short piece of steel can be used as efficiently as a long piece by backing the short piece with another piece of steel; tool dressing, except for special tools, is practically eliminated, as the steel can be used or ground to half its thickness and then turned over and reground. This not only results in a material saving but also enables the use of scientifically tempered factory steel; and the graduated foundation washer eliminates guess work in tool setting and provides a proving guide for the proper height of the tool in working different materials and with the high side of the washer arranged opposite the direction of the cut to be made the washer acts as a wedge and prevents side turning.

My structure reduces maintenance expense; provides a great saving in tool steel and the cutting edge on the tool has longer life due to the elimination of vibration which also prevents chipping of the T-slot in the lathe compound, as well as unnecessary wear on the lathe carriage.

The exemplification of the invention has been described in terms employed for purposes of description and not as terms of limitation, as structural modifications are possible and may be made without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention. 7

What I claim is:

1. In a tool post and holder for metal working machines, a slide block provided with an inverted T-slot; a post provided with a flanged lower end mounted in the T-slot, and having a vertical slot extending from the upper end to a predetermined distance from the lower end of the post; a centrally apertured block in said slot having overlapping relation with the flange of said post; and a rocker block pivotally mounted in the upper end of the slot in the postwith its ends disposed to opposite sides of the post and each end provided with a pressure providing screw-bolt, the screw-bolts being arranged at different distances from the vertical axis of the post.

2. In a tool post and holder for lathes andthe like, a slide block; an upstanding tool post mounted at its lower end in said slide block and vertically slotted from its upper end to a predetermined distance from its lower end; and a rocker block pivotallymounted in the upper end of the post slot with its ends enlarged and disposed beyond opposite sides of the post and said enlarged ends provided with tapped openings having vertically disposed screw-bolts, the tapped opening with its screw-bolt in one end of the rocker block being arranged at a greater distance from the vertical median line of the post than the opening and screw-bolt in the other end of said rocker block.

3. In a tool post and holder of the character described, a tool post vertically slotted from its upper end to a predetermined distance from its lower end and provided with a transverse aperture adjacent its'upper end arranged at. right angles to the slot; arocker block of reduced transverse dimension intermediate its end to looselyfit into the post-slot and having a transverse aperture adapted to register with the aperture in the post; a-pin disposed through the registering apertures for tiltably holding the rocker block in place, the ends of the rocker block being disposed beyond opposite sides of the post and each provided with a vertically disposed hole with the hole of one end arranged closer to the vertical median line of the post than the hole of the other end; and a screwbolt arranged in each hole of the rocker block.

4. In a metal working machine of the character described, the combination of a slide block provided with a vertically disposed inverted T- shape slot; a tool post with a flanged lower end arranged in said slot and provided With a vertical slot extending from the upper end to a point removed from the slide block and having a transverse aperture adjacent the upper end disposed at right angles to said slot; an apertured block undercut at the lower end of the aperture to receive the flanged end of the post to provide a flat bearing between the top of the post-flange and said slide block; and a foundation washer centrally apertured for passage of the post therethrough, the lower face of the washer being fiat and adapted to rest on the slide block while the upper face is tapered toward one side and provided with equally spaced graduations.

5. The combination of a slide block; a vertically disposed tool post mounted in said slide block and slotted at its vertical median line from its upper end to a point above the slide block; a rocker block pivotally mounted in the upper end of the slot with its ends disposed beyond opposite sides of the post and provided with vertically arranged screw-bolts arranged at different distances from the vertical median line of the post; and a centrally apertured foundation washer encircling the post, the lower face of the washer being fiat and resting on the slide block while the upper face tapers toward one side and is provided with clockwisely arranged graduations.

6. The combination of a slide block; a vertically disposed tool post mounted in said block and vertically slotted from its upper end to a point above the slide block; a rocker block pivotally mounted in the vertical slot of the tool post with its ends disposed beyond opposite sides of the tool post and each provided with a screw-bolt; and an apertured foundation washer encircling the post and resting on the slide block with its upper face tapering toward one side and one-half of its upper face provided with equally spaced graduations of increasing denominations in clockwise direction.

'7. The combination of a tool post slotted from its upper end at its vertical median line to a point removed from its lower end; a centrally apertured foundation washer, encircling the tool post, provided with a fiat lower face and a top face tapered toward one side of the washer; and a tool holder disposed through the tool post slot with its forward end provided with upstanding sides while its bottom face tapers transversely to match the taper of said foundation washer.

8. The combination of a tool post slotted from its upper end; a centrally apertured foundation washer encircling the tool post and having a top face tapered toward one side; and an elongated tool holder disposed through the tool post slot and having a bottomface tapered transversely to match the tapered upper'face of thefoundationwa'sher on which it rests,the forward end of the holder being provided with upstanding side wallsadapted to abut the side of the tool post and: prevent; rearwardi movement of; the holder.

9. The combination of a tool post slotted from its upper end along its vertical median line; a rocker block pivotally mounted in the tool post slot with its ends disposed to opposite sides of the post and each provided with a screw-bolt; a centrally apertured foundation washer encircling said post and provided with an upper face tapering toward one side; and an elongated tool holder disposed through the slot in the tool post with its ends disposed in the vertical planes of the screw-bolts while the forward end of the holder has upstanding side walls adapted to prevent transverse movement of the holder in one direction.

10. In a device of the character described, provided with a vertically slotted upstanding tool post, a foundation washer, centrally apertured to encircle the tool post, provided with a flat lower face and a tapered upper face with the taper extending toward one side of the washer; and an elongated tool holder, slidable through the slot in the tool post, provided with a bottom surface tapered transversely toward one longitudinal side to correspond with the tapered upper face of the foundation washer, the holder adjacent its forward end having upstanding side walls which prevent longitudinal movement through the post-slot in one direction.

11. In a device of the character described provided with an upstanding tool post slotted longitudinally; a screw-bolt carrying member tiltab-ly mounted in the tool post slot with its screw-bolt carrying ends disposed to opposite sides of the post; a foundation washer encircling the post and provided with an upper face tapered toward one side of the washer and having annularly spaced indicia; and an elongated element adapted to fit into the post-slot and having a surface tapering toward one longitudinal side to match the tapered surface of said foundation washer.

12. In a device of the character described, an upstanding tool post slotted longitudinally; an elongated screw-bolt carrying member tiltably mounted in the upper end of the tool post slot so as to tilt vertically with its ends disposed to opposite sides of the post and having vertically disposed openings at different distances from the post; and screw-bolts disposed vertically through the ends of said member and the screw-bolt in one end arranged a shorter distance from the vertical median line of the post than the screw-bolt in the other end of said member.

13. In a device of the character described, an upstanding longitudinally slotted tool post; a rocker block pivotally mounted in the upper end of the tool post slot with its ends disposed beyond opposite sides of the post and each provided with a screw-bolt and the screw-bolt at one end arranged closer to the pivotal point of the block than the screw-bolt in the other end thereof; and a pair of members provided with matching tapered faces on their contacting surfaces, one of said members being elongated and adapted to extend through the slot in the tool post while the other member is apertured to encircle the tool post.

14. In a device of the character described pro vided with an upstanding vertically slotted tool with upstanding side walls arranged to receive the tool therebetween and to engage the side of the tool post and prevent longitudinal movement of the holder through the post-slot in one direc- 5; tion.

BERNARD J. CARR. 

